Strikers James Norwood and Joe Garner could miss the start of the season due to long-term injuries.

The Oldham Times understands that Norwood suffered a calf injury on the first day of pre-season training, while Garner has yet to participate in pre-season training due to a shoulder injury sustained which has required surgery.

Neither of them have been involved in the pre-season training camp at St Andrew's this week, and it seems unlikely they will be fit in time to face Braintree Town at Boundary Park on the opening day on August 10, with both potentially facing a three-month recovery.

It is unclear, yet, whether the injury situation will force Latics into the transfer market, although recruiting - and the need for it - is something that manager Micky Mellon says he is continually monitoring.

"It's ongoing. We'll continue to keep finding the opportunities," he said.

"Like I say to my players 'find the opportunities to get forward, look for the opportunities to get forward'. It's the same with recruitment. We'll look for the opportunities, we'll keep hunting, watching games, we'll keep speaking to other managers or people who know the game and give us recommendations and if we feel that something comes up and we have the opportunity to do that - because we don't have a limitless pot of money here - but if we did have the opportunity and we thought he could make us better then we would look to try to do that.

"But you've got to keep doing that, you've got to be on the front foot."

Latics have so far added right back Reagan Ogle, wingers Josh Kay and Jesurun Uchegbulam, defender Manny Monthe and attacking midfielder Harry Charsley to the group and have a number of players on trial, with former Accrington Stanley midfielder Matt Lowe believed to be among them, while Kurt Willoughby and Alex Reid have had more prominent roles in pre-season than was perhaps anticipated.

Of recruitment, in an interview with the club website, Mellon added: "You can sit back and think 'that's us, cracked it' - you've got to keep trying to improve it. And then a club that understands that, a group of players that understands that, a fanbase that understands that keeps us vibrant and it keeps us all expecting to keep trying to do things and keep trying to make it better."

Oldham yesterday discovered who their opponents will be on August 10, and beyond, but Mellon is focused on the tasks in hand between now and then.

"I'm very much a day to day kind of guy," he said ahead of Saturday's first friendly, at home to Stockport County (kick-off 3pm).

"I want to get today right, and that's what we'll do. That's just the type of fella I am. Tomorrow will come and two weeks will come and the start of the season will come, but today we've got to get right today.

"We've planned the right type of training session today to keep moving things forward, we'll drive the players on, we'll get them fitter, stronger. That's going to take a bit of time as well to build up the fitness levels.

"We're building towards that first game of the season but today is another stage in that so we'll get that right today and keep moving forward."

Meanwhile, tickets are available for all three home pre-season friendlies.

All home friendlies are against League One opposition, starting with Stockport County on Saturday, before hosting Lincoln City (July 20) and Shrewsbury Town (August 3).

Prices for all home friendlies are £10 for adults, £5 for over 65s and 14-21 year olds, £2 for under 13s.

The Joe Royle Stand is closed for the visit of Stockport due to ongoing maintenance work and an event in Oldham Event Centre.

The Main Stand Upper, Lower Rochdale Road End paddock and the Jimmy Frizzell Stand will be open for this fixture. Away supporters will be located in the Chadderton Road End.

For the matches against Lincoln and Shrewsbury, the Joe Royle Stand will be open, along with the Jimmy Frizzell Stand. The Main Stand will be closed to home supporters, with away fans in the Main Stand paddock.